May 20, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Karachi from the US with B-17's first mission is June 3, 1942.

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (SOPAC, 7th Air Force): Admiral John S McCain, in Seaplane Tender USS TANGIER (AV-8) at Noumea, New Caledonia , assumes command as Commander Aircraft South Pacific Forces (COMAIRSOPAC). Ground echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Amberley Field to New Caledonia; air echelon is at Hickam Field with B-26's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17s attack Koepang Airfield and AA guns nearby.

USN: Rear Admiral J. S. McCain reported for duty as Commander Aircraft, South Pacific, a new command established to direct the operations of tender and shore-based aviation in the South Pacific area.

IJN: Japanese submarine I-10 catapults her E14Y1 Glen floatplane on a reconassiance mission over Durban.